Device for attenuating pulsative flow in gases



July 5, 1960 M. L. ARNOLD I 2,943,641

DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW IN GASES Filed Jan. 30, 1956 4 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTOR MARION L.ARNOLD.

rflckao/ y'zwd cZM ATTORNEYS July 5,. 1960 M. L. ARNOLD DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW in CASES Filed Jan. 50, 1956 7 Sheets- Sheet 2 KM X M i f 1 f i 1. J 22 23 24 MI M| c 5 z J y l J INVENTOR MARION L.ARNOLD.

Ja aaw yawwzd c2&%

ATTORNEYS July 5, 1960 2,943,641

DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW IN GASES M. ARNOLD 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 5 mm) fM INVENTOR MARION L. ARNOLD.

ATTORNEYS July 5, 1960 M. L. ARNOLD nsvzca r012 ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW- \IN GASES Filed Jan. 30, 1956 I 7 Sheets- Sheet 4 I 02 INVENTOR 777 MARION L.ARNOLD.

ATTORNEYS y 5,1960 M. 1.. ARNOLD 2,943,641

DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW IN GASES Filed Jan. so, 1956 v 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR MARION L.ARNOLD.

ATTORNEYS PERCENT TRANSMISSION y 1960 M. L. ARNOLD 2,943,641

DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW IN GASES Filed Jan. 30, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 RATIO OF FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY TO-CUT-OFF FREQUENCY,

f/f MARION L ARNOLD.

BY Mm 17mm 4* M6214 ATTORNEYS INVENTOR y 1959 M. L. ARNOLD 2,943,641

DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLJOW IN GASES Filed Jan. 30, 1956 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 RATIO OF FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY TO CUT-OFF FREQUENCY f/f INVENTOR MARION L. ARNOLD.

BY Mm 7W4M1M ATTORNEYS 2 ,943,641 DEVICE FOR ATTENUATING PULSATIVE FLOW Marion L. Arnold, Downey, CaliL, assignor to Richfield Oil Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Delaware p 7 Filed Jan. 30, 1956, Ser. No. 562,155,

22 Claims. (Cl. 138- 26) This invention relates to the attenuation ofpressure and current variations in flowing compressible fluids .and v in particular relates to the elimination of periodic variations of pressure and flow rate in gas lines introduced by theme of displacement type compressors. e 1

.In industry considerable trouble has been experienced with the piping attached to displacement type compres-s sors because of the periodic nature ofthe flow of gases to and from such equipment. The term displacement type compressors is 'used in its broad sense and includes not onlyreciprocating compressors employing a piston,

plunger orsimilar device but also such compressors as are commonly known as rotary compressors in which the displacement is effected by the meshing of gear teeth, the action of an eccentrically supportedrotor, or thejlike.

The gas flow from displacementtypc compressors,

as is well-known, isperiodic in nature exhibiting pe-- riodic variations from a mean rate of flow. The kinetic energy of the gas particles is therefore variable and results in a variableforce acting upon such portionsof the piping system confining the gas as mayibe capable of changing the momentum of. the gas particles. If

the piping is not rigidly supported Where it is so acted upon dangerous and even destructive movement of the piping can occur. The periodic nature of gas flow from a displacement type compressor also initiates pressure waves which flow in the gas at the velocity of sound. Such pressure waves are readily reflected by bends and changes in diameter of the tubing and by equipment connected in the pipe line. A disturbing phenomenon known as resonance occurs if the reflecting portion of H pressor, and therefore inefiectivedampening is obtained 2.94am Patented July 5, 19 60 vices, the dimensions of the pair of chambers adapt the passage are calculated by a particular fdr'mulaiiiterided to give the chambers and interconnecting passage the characteristics of an acoustical low pass filter. i p

I have found, however that 'such prior deVicswhen operated under prescribed design conditions to produce an acoustical lowgpass filter having a cut-off frequency 7 equal to the-,fundamentalt frequency. to be suppressed permit substantial transmission, i.e. about 17%,ofthe fundamental frequency of the displacement type comby the use of such devices. When suchfdevices are operated under prescribed design conditions in which' cutoif frequency is selected at a value considerably lessthan the fundamental frequency, for example at 85% of;;fundamental frequency, there is nevertheless; substantial transmission, i.e. about; 11%, of the fundamentahfrequency through, the volume currentattenuation device. 'This invention provides volume current attenuation devices which are capable of any desired attenuation of the fundamental frequency to be suppressed ;The{devices of this invention notonly include the r-section of a pair of chambers (acoustical capacitances) interconnected by a restricted passage (acoustical inductance) but'al'so volume current attenuation devices which. fun Q damentally comprise a T-se'ction of a pair of restricted passages interconnected by a chamber of relativelylarge dimensions as compared with thesize of the restricted passages. V y This invention also provides volume current attenuation devices including a series of vt-sections, a series of T-sections, or a series of both 1rand T-sections. This invention further provides volume currentattenuation f devices including end L-sections. T While the volume current attenuator sections described above relate to' a single unit or series of units designed primarily to serve a single source of pulsative flow, it

the piping has the proper length and configuration for the particular rate (frequency) of the periodic vibration.

An important object of this invention therefore is to 7 reduce periodic pressure and flow disturbances noted above to an acceptable minimum by means of a volume current attenuating device. Another important object of' this invention is to accomplish such .attenuatiom with is frequently possible and is within the intent of thisin- 'vention to adapt portions of complex plant piping as acoustical inductances and capacitances required for attenuation according to such techniques. f

The apparatus provided by the present invention differs fundamentally fromv the prior devices for volume current attenuation, such as those provided by the Stephens patent, not onlybecause different structures 'are contemplated by the present invention, but also because this invention requires a different" structural relationshipbetween the elements of such devices. The present invention moreoverpermits a substantially greater order of attenuation of different character thaniis robtainable 'by employing devices heretofore available.

minimum lossof mean pressure in the g'asline and with minimum attenuation of the-gas flowin a positiveidireo- ,Yet a'further object of this invention 'is'to provide" I Figure 1 'is a diagrammatic representation of 3151': section attenuator used in accordance with this invention; z

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a T-section attenuator used in accordance witlithisinvent onf Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation or a: T-,S66-- tion attenuator terminated in its characteristic impedance at both ends; i Figured is a diagrammatic representation of a a-section attenuator terminated in itscharacteristic" impedance at .both ends;

atively large pulsation absorbing chambers (acoustical capacitances) connected in series in a gasline attached to a displacement type compressor and interconnected by a restricted passage (acoustical inductance). In the Stephenspatent and in the literature and patents subsequently describing such volume current attenuation de-- Figure 5' represents an impedance input attenuator used in accordance with this invention; V

Figure 6 representsaseries of T-section attenuators; Figure 7 represents atseries of vr-section attenuators; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a series of attenuators used in accordance with this invention consisting of a Ifsection and a.1r-section joined by an L-section;

Figure 9 represents a T-section terminated in an l .-s'ction; v V

tube length is usually desirable.

" Figure represents a T-section terminated in an L-section at each end;

Figure 11 represents a 1r-section terminated in an L-secsign of a multiple connection piping system;

Figure 14 is a sectional view illustrating a structural design embodying the three-stage 1r-section attenuator shown in Figure 7;

Figure 15 is a sectional view of a structural design for a. single stage T-section attenuator according to the principles diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 16 is a sectional view of a structure incorporating a T-section attenuator according to the principles illustrated in Figure 2 which is particularly suitable for use ance of a single section of a low pass acoustical filter according to this invention showing percent transmission against the ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-01f frequency; and

performance of a single section of a low pass acoustical 'filter according to this invention showing attenuation (expressed in a log scale of the ratio 1 :1 against the ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency.

Figure 1 represents a fundamental 1r-section attenua- -tor designed for insertion in a gas line 1 which is suitably connected to the output of displacement type gas compressor 2. The gas line ultimately delivers the compressed gas to a cooling tower or other apparatus (not shown). Inserted in gas line 1 are a pair of chambers 3 and 4 which are interconnected by passage 5.

Figure 2 represents a fundamental T-section attenuator which may be inserted in gas line 1 in place of the 1r-section attenuator of Figure l. The T-section attenuatorof Figure 2 comprises a pair of passages 6 and 7 interconnected by chamber 8.

The value M of acoustic inductance of a passage is determined by the fixed dimensions of the passage and the density of the fluid in accordance with the following equation: I

where =mass of fluid in the passage in pounds, A=the cross-sectional area of the passage in square feet.

where d=density of the fluid in slugs per cubic foot at the average pressure and temperature, 'l=length of the tube in feet.

For short tubes an end correction in the form of added This is described in standard acoustical tests and for most installations may be ignored. 7

The passage may also take the form of an-orifice or of a narrow slit in which case Equation 1 reduces to amount of inductance.

el i where V=volume of the chamber in cubic feet,

n=exponent of adiabatic or polytr opic compression of the gas at average pressure and temperature,

P=average pressure in pounds per square foot absolute.

It will be noted from the above definitions that a passage while containing substantial inductance also possesses a certain amount of capacitance and similarly a chamber possessing considerable capacitance also possesses a small These are usually not significant in low pass acoustical wave filters employed in accordance with the principles of this invention. If, however, the fundamental frequencies to be attenuated are relatively high, the inductance possessed by a chamber and the capacitance possessed by a passage may become significant, in which case for purposes of the following equations the inductance of the chambers may be lumped with the inductance of the passages and the capacitance of the passages may be lumped with the capacitance of the chambers.

In the diagrammatic views shown in Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that chambers 3, 4, and '8 all possess acoustical capacitance while passages 5, 6, and 7 all possess acoustical inductance.

If either the 1r-section of Figure 1 or the T-section of Figure 2 is inserted in the discharge line of a reciprocating or rotary compressor, as indicated in Figure l, the section exhibits a peculiar property. While the compressor is run at relatively low speeds, the magnitudes of the periodically variable current or pressure entering and leaving the device, if measured at the same instance, will be found to be almost identical, that is, no attenuation occurs. However, as the speed of the compressor is slowly increased and measurements are continued, it is found that at a certain compressor speed the magnitudes of the periodic current and pressure leaving the device become less than the magnitudes of the periodic current and pressure entering the device. At higher compressor speeds the attenuation of the periodic current and pressure waves increases as a function of the frequency of the wave.

It will be noted that reference is made in the foregoing to both current and pressure waves. Current wave is intended to refer to the periodic variation in flow rate introduced by the periodic discharge of gas from compressor 2, and pressure wave is intended to refer to the periodic variation in gas pressure caused by the periodic discharge of gas from compressor 2. The frequency of these waves is of course established by the compressor speed and the number of discharges per revo lution of the compressor. The pressure and current waves produced by the discharge of gas from compressor 2 thus have a fundamental frequency equal to the rate of puffs of gas discharged from the compressor. Harmonics also occur; these are multiples of the fundamental so their attenuation in a low pass attenuator is greater than the attenuation of the fundamental frequency.

Figure 18 illustrates the theoretical performance of a single section low pass acoustical filter such as is diagrammatically represented in Figure l or 2. In Figure 18 it will be noted that the attenuation of such a simple section is a continuous function of frequency which commences at a cut-off frequency f Cut-ofi frequency is whe 1 C =tota1-capacitan'ce'of thesection;

definedifor any simpler or fr-section according to the fl O pwiugequationz t V 5 v f r 110M1072 a M total inductance of the section, I

as showrii in EigW -Z h cutofi frequency is deter passage 6, which iseciuhltopne-half M the inductance where w l ='the input current to thedevice,

1 =the output current from the device.

The ratio of input current to output current varies with frequency inaccordance with thej following equation:

f=frequency of the pressure or current wave in cycles per second, i

V j=an operator producing a counterclockwise rotation of termines the dimensions of passage 5 Equation 1, 2,151; depending on the nature of the passage. 1 e g I Calculations maybe simplified y employing thefollowing equations in place of Equations? where f=the fundamental frequency of the discharge from comf pressor 2,

-fc=the cut-off frequency for which the attenuatorshould be'designed so that when operated at a frequency f it will be given the desired attenuation 1 /1 Equations 9 and'lO are developed from Equations 7 and 8 since the quantity Z /4Z used in Equations 7 and 8 can be shown to be equalto -(f/fc) e H 'The attenuator shown in Figure 1 or 2 approaches more. nearly theoretical performance when installed in 'a line having an impedance at zero frequency equalto the characteristic impedance of. the attenuator. Expressing the characteristic impedance of the attenuator at zero frequency as Z the following equation holds:

The impedance of the line at zero frequency R may be found by computing the line resistance to the flow of fluid at a uniform rate equal to the average value ,of' 1 expressed in (lbs;)(sec.)/(ft.) units. Thence Equation 11 becomes 1 l (12) o=\/ 1 a Combining Equations 5 and 11 it can be shown that r M1 =Z I7TfC Hence the previously determined value of cut-01f frequency fc required to give the desired attenuation a "when operating at a frequency f can be made to yield R and R are the resistances of the passages and cham-' bers, respectively, expressed inflb.) (sec.)/ (in). units.

Generally R and R may be neglected. Attenuation in Nepers a may also 'be expressed inte'rrns of phase'angIe between the current and pressure waves according ,to

the following equation;

where B is the phase anglebetweenflow'rate' and pressure of the periodically varying wave. j. t

I .It will be seen thatany desired :Qfinite attenuation a desired for a ,given frequency. maybe selectedur-By Equations .6, 7, and 8 the ratio 2 /42 may be found. From this value, the requisite product, M C is then foundby Equations 7a and 7b and the dimensions of a suitable attenuator to achieve such desired attenuation canthen -bedetermined. If a T-section is'tobe'employed, the value M is ofrcourse divided by two and the fixed dimensions of each passage 6 and 7 are determined by Equations 1, 2, or 3, while the dimensions 'of chamber 8 are determined directly from C in'accordance with Equation 4. Similarly, if .a 1r-section attenua- 101' is to be employed, the value of C is divided by' two are determined by Equation 4, while the value M de- 7 Band the physical dimensions of each chamber} and .4-

the required values of inductance and capacitancelfor either the 1ror T-section attenuator of Figure 1 or 2 respectively in which the iterative impedance of'theattenuator will equal the line impedance at zero frequency.

-A further improvement in the attenuator of" Figure l or 2 is made by terminating the attenuator -with a line which has an impedance at zero frequency equal to the characteristic impedance of the attenuator section. The characteristic impedance for a T section' Z can be determined in accordance with the following equation:

and the characteristic impedance for a ir-section Zig,;-'is

given by the following equation:

In. Equations 15 and 16 all of the -terms have been previously evaluated. Since the ratio of the fundamental frequency to the cut-off frequency is necessarily greater than 1 in order to produce attenuation of the fundamental frequency, the characteristic impedance of boththe '1:- and T-sections will be capacitive and. hence'the impedance of the line terminating the attenuatorlcan be calculatedin accordance with Equation 4." 5 i Figure 3 shows in diagrammatic manner a T-sectiou f7 Attenuator or t e true .shoyvnin i urel r c terjt't'linated ,at bdth Qllds in its characteristic.impedance. Thus the atteniiator 'of'Figure 3 includes riot onlypassa es s an f te s na in .chambe b c e b'rs 9 and-10 connected toithe'ends of the attenuat'qr.

Figure 4' similarly shows 'a Ir-section attenuator of the type shown iifTiigfii-e 1 in whichchambers 3 and 4 are interconnected' bypassage 5 as before. The ends of the attenuator are each terminatedby a chamber 11, 12, respectively, which equals; the characteristic impedance of the attenuator.

In 1r attenuators such as shown in Figure 1 the operation is frequently improved by. adding an-impedance ahead of the attenuator, that is between the attenuator and the compressor discharging into the gas line in which the attenuator is employed. Under such circumstances the value of the impedance is a function of thezero frequencyimpedance of theline R previously referredto. ;-.In terms of R the input impedance should lie between 0 ran nsd Figure illustrates a rr-section attenuator including chambers 3 and 4i nterconnected in gas line ll bypasfsagexS. 0n the'input side of the attenuator asecond .passa'ge 1 3 is added'having an inductance value M as definedin the foregoing paragraph. Passage l3is conveniently forced as the connection between. the pump discharge and the attenuator. The dimensions of passage 13 is of course governed by Equation 1, 2, or '3 based on the value M previously referred to.

An important aspect of this invention is in the useof multiple section attenuators. Frequently the desired attenuation cannot be attained in a single attenuator section without resorting to inconveniently large chambers and-highly restricted passages which have unfavorable resistance to the flow of gas in the pipe line. In such circumstances, tWo or more sections are arranged in series. The desired overall attenuation a for an at tenua tor of n-sections is equal to theproduct of the attenuation in each individual section, a .a a What has been previously said with regard to the design of individual T- and ar-sectionattenuators of course applies to the design of individual sections which are joined in a multi-unit attenuator.

.Figure 6 illustrates a triple T-section attenuator in which passages .14, 15, 16 and 17 are connected in series in a gas line and interconnect chambers 18, 19 and 20. It Will be noted that each passage and 16 has double the inductance of either passage 14 or 17. This is due to joiningconsecutive T-sections. Actually passage 15 .containsthe end of the first T-section and the beginning of the second, while passage ll 6 contains the end of the second T-section and the beginning of a third.

piping to join a wr-section attenuator to a T-section at- I tenuator rather than form a. multi-unit attenuator having identicalsections throughout. In this case, however, the .jr section and .the T-section should not be joined directly but should be joined by means of a half section attenuator attenuator.

Figure 8. illustrates .a dual unit attenuator comprising -.an initiaLT-section which includes passageSOQchamber 31, and the first halfsofipass age 32. The T-section then ,F gure 7 shows a tr ple 1r-sect on attenuator suitable 1 (L,- s ect1on) made by splrttmg a. 1r-section or a T-section V :8 ea s c an azsect cmwh li aq udes these ondh flo passage '32 and 'tlie first half of' chamben33f Ifhe L-section is then connected to a vr section attenuator which includes the second half of chamber 33, passage 34, and chamber 35. 'T Y L-sections have additional uses and are particularly desirable for terminating either or both ends of an attenuator of the singlesection or multi-unit type. Figures 9, 10 and 11 illustrate various .HSQS, of L -sectio.n s. '.It will be noted ,that an Lsection corresponds to asym- 'metrical half of eithera fr-section or r-section. An bsec- "tion" which terminates a ar -section appears as the adjahalf of another 1r s ecti on. Similarly, the l -section which terminates one. end of a T-section appears asthe adjacenthalf of the next T section in a series of T-sec- "ti'o'ns Referring for a moment'to Figure 8, just ,disfcussed, it will be seen .that the L-section whichis used to'join a T-s ect ion;and'a 1r-section appears .to .the .T -section as'the near half of a succeeding T-section .and' appears to the 1r-section as the near half of a preceding -rr se ction. v

Figure 9 shows a standard 'T-section of the type diagrammatically represented in Figure 2 comprising chamber 36, one half of passage 31am passage 38. The upstream L-section which terminates the T-section is a charnber 39 and the first half of passage 37. It will be noted that in computing the dimensions of the whole attenuator shown in Figure 9 in accordance with the formulas .set forth hereinabove the capacitance of chamber 36 is C as before. The inductance of passage 38 is one-half M as before. Passage 37, however, includes the inductance of the L-section as well as the inductance required for the T-section. Since each of these is one-half M the total inductance for passage 37 i's M Chamber 39 of the L- section has one-half the capacitance of a standard T-section and hence its inductance is one-half C Figure 10 shows a standard T-section terminated at both ends in an L -section'. The attenuator includes a T-section composed of the latter half of passage 40 and the first half of passage 41 interconnected by chamber 42. The upstream L-section includes chamber 43 and the first half of passage 40, while the downstream L-section includes the latter half of passage 41 and chamber .44. In forming such a T-section terminated at both ends with an L-section, chambers 43 and 44 each have a capacitance calculated with the preceding formulas of a value of onehalf C Chamber 42 has a capacitance of C and passages 40 and'41 each have an inductance of M Figure 11 represents a 1r-S6CtiOI1 filter terminated at each end with an l. .-secti on. The attenuator includes three passages 45, 46'and 47 and two chambers 48 and 49 in which chamber 48 interconnects passages 45 and 46 andcharnber49 interconnects passages 46 and 47. Passages 45 and 47 eachhave an inductance of one-half M Each of chambers 48 and 49 has a capacitance of C Passage 46 has an inductance of M It will be seen that the ar-section includes the latter portion of chamber 48, the initial portion "of chamber 49, andinterconnecting passage 46.

' "A careful reviewof the equations previously discussed relating to the ratioof I 10 I and relating to the ratio of the fundamental frequency to the cut-off frequency re- ..veals that'infinite attenuation can be attained only at a value of the ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency which is equal to infinity. Since there are circumstances'under which it would be desirableto attain theoretical infinite attenuation at a finite value of the ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency, other types of attenuator sections must be added to the previously described sections to permit infinite attenuation within finiteilimits.

Eitheria '1ror T-section attenuator as previously disclosed may be designed having a cut-off frequency fc which is below some finite frequency f. of infinite attenuation. If f is divided by {0 and ratio is defined as b 7 occurs.

a'val'ue m may be chosen The factor *m may be suitably employed in redesigning 1r; Ifsections and 'L-secti'ons by the addition of added elements wherein'the valuesof M and C are derived including the factor In L01 a function thereof. In an md'erivd T -section, for example, the T-sect-ion shown in Figure 2 is structurally altered by "replacing chamber 8 with an inductive betweenpassages 6 and 7. Cham-- ber 8 is then co'nnected on the end'of the inductive arm whiohlmay 'be an additional passage, i.e. a tube, orifice, slit or'thelike. The inductance of each series of the m-derived T se'ction is altered-to a value of a The capacitance of the ohamber becomes mC and the inductance of the additional passage has a value of Corresponding changes oan'be designed in a ir-section.v

The attenuation ofanm-derived section" atother frequencies is often important. canj'be-found by Equation l0 wherein t an. a is repla'ced' with the value p r (2wrf) m M C Figure 12 illustrates diagrammatically a composite attenuator composed of three standard T-section'attenuators terminated at each end by an m-derived L-section. The particular advantages of this arrangement include not only the high degree of attenuation of a multiple section, but extremely sharp attenuation between .the cut-ofi frequency and some other finite frequency f... defined by Equation 17 at which infinite attenuation theoretically The multiple unit attenuator of Figure 12 includes in series with gas line 1 four restricted passages 50, 51, 52 and 53 interconnected by chambers 54, 55 and 56, respectively. At the point where gas line 1 joinspassage 50 sidearmpassage' 57 is attached to passage 50. The

end of side arm 'pas'sage57' is terminated in chamber 58.

At thepoint where passage 53 re-enters gas line 1 side passage 59 is attached to the attenuator. Side passage 59 terminates at its e'ndwith chamber 60; The attenuator as seen :from an acoustical point of view includes an initial m-derived L-section which includes chamber 58, passage 57 and part of passage 50. The attenuator then includes a series; of three standard T-sections and terminates in an m-derived L-section which includes part of passage, 53,

passage59 and chamber '50. The inductances of passages SIEandjSZ are M Eachof' chambers 54, 55 and56 has a-capacitanceof C Each-of chambers 58 and 60 has a Each of passages 50and53 has an inductance equal to r a- To design a composite attenuatorfthe center standard I- or 1r-section or sections are first designed as previously outlined. in general, it will be toundsatisfactory to select a cutolf frequency slightly less than the lowest fire- 10 7 quency (fundamental) to besuppf'es'sed. An iii-derived section is then designed such that f... be approximately equal to the fundamental frequency of the periodic current and pressure waves to be attenuated. This mderival' section then split; as described before, and

half of it addedto each ,end of the standard section attenuator. If the valueo'f m selected is greater than about 0.8 or less than about 0.4, I have found it desirable to add a full m-derived section to the interior of the attenuatcgrgisin addition to using the m-derived L-sections at the e While the attenuator designs described so far have been single or series units designed primarily to serve a single sourceof pulsative flow, it is frequently possible to adapt portions of the plant piping as the inductancesand capacitances required to term an elfective attenuator. This is illustrated in Figure 13. The gas fi'om four compressor cylinders 61, 62, 63 and 64 is to be delivered through individual laterals into common header 65. The gas from this header is to be carried through single pipe 66 to second header 67 located near a cooling tower (not shown). Risers 68, 69, 70 and 71 from second header 67 deliver the gas to four cooling sections located in the cooling tower (cooling sections and cooling tower not shown). It is required to deliver the gas to the cooling sections with pulses sufiiciently attenuated that the tubes of the cooling sections will not be damaged by vibration.

The piping just described .can be adapted to function either as the equivalent of two vr-sections in series, oras the equivalent of three T-sections in series. Since less attenuation per stage is required for the three T-sections,- its design is illustrated in Figure 13, although two w-sections could be designed to be equally effective, as has been previously indicated.

The required overall'attenuation is first estimated. No general rule can be given for this as it depends entirely upon the nature of the equipment to be protected against pulsation. A high degree of attenuation is required to protect highly stressed tubes whose mechanical configuration is such that the pulse frequency coincides with, or is close to, the natural frequency of vibration or the tubes. On the other hand, a relatively small attenuation may be sufiicient for lightly stressed tubes, whose mechanical configuration is such that the pulse irequency is well above the natural frequency of vibration of the tube. Having determined the required overall attenuation, the attenuation per stage, as previously explained, is equal to the cube root of this for a three-section unit. The required values of M' and C are then found by methods previously described. For a three-section T-attenuator, three chambers are required in series. Headers; 65 and 67 can be used as two of these. The third chamber is divided into individual parallel units, each of which is connected in the lateral between one of the compressor cylinders and header 65-. Thus the lateral between cylinder 61 and header 65 includes two pipes 72' and 73 interconnected by chamber 74, the lateral between cylinder 62 and header V 82 and chamber 83. Thisis a particularly useful arrangemerit if the length of firstheader 65 is long as compared to the wave length of the periodic flow of gas, in which case resonance may occur in header 65 from the pressure-waves set up. By introducing the third capacitative units74, 77, and 83 between each cylinder 61, 62, 63 and 64 and header '65, the magnitude of the pressure waves. isjthus reduced. 1 Y V The value of the capacitance, of each chamber 74, 77, 80 and 83 is equal to C It is introduced in each lateral at such a location thatthe inductance of each pipe 72, 75,78and81hasa-valne I asses equalito one of the series of aT-section. The in,- ductance of each pipe '73, 76, ,79 and 82 must have a value 9f M since it contai@s two series The capacitance of header 65 must be equal to four times the capacitance of the chambers in the laterals, since one capacitance which is the equivalent of four capacitances in parallel frnust be equalto the sum of the four individual capacita pe However, a single inductance, M, which is equivalent to four inductances, M in parallel is found as follows:

Therefore, the inductance .ofpipe 66connecting headers 65 and 67 must be one-fourth the value of the-inductance of each pipe 73, 76, 79 and 82. The capacitance of second header 67 is also equal to 40 The inductance of each ofthe four risers 168-, 69 70 and 71 to the cooling sections is again M /2. If two risers were used, the inductance of each would be found as follows:

1 1 1 4 Tannin-n1 heme M is thus equal to the inductance of each of two parallel risers. If only one riser were used,'its induct ance would be found as follows:

Fir-fa Mr? 2 2 2 2 u While this discussion has related to the use of the equivalent of three T-sections in series, the same procedure can be used to adapt conventional header system com posed of laterals, headeisscrubbers, etc., into attenuator systems equivalent to one or more T-, 1r-, or m-derived sections in 'series. While it is desirable that the product should be the same for each of the equivalent series attenuator sections, it is not absolutely essential that this be the case. If the product 0 is not constant, the de gree of attenuation will not be the same in all sections.

It was also pointed out that the dimensions of the com ponent parts, 'inductances and capacitances, should be small with respect to the length of thepressure wave occurring in the gasstreamin order that resonance may not occur-{or too much interference be suffered by the reflection ofthese waves. The wave length is found from 0 ol w qu pn V W= N W=wave length of pressure wave in feet, V,=ve locityof sound in the flowing medium, feet per second corrected for the velocity of the flowing stream, N =frequency of the pulses (or waves) in cycles per second. 7

If it is found that the length ofa lateral or header cannot be kept short, the disturbance caused by this can be minimized by installing an orifice of about one-half the pipe diameter, spaced about A to A of a wave length apart. a v V Figure 14 shows a specific structure incorporating a three-stage vr-section attenuator of the type diagramrnatically represented by Figure 7-. The attenuator shown in Figure 14 comprises an elongated cylindrical shell 85 having an inlet fixture-86 at one 'end and'an outlet fixture 87 at the opposite end. Fixtures 86- and 87 are provided with a flange or other suitable means for connection in series in a gas, line. Three transverse partitions 92, 93 and 94 divide cylinder 85 into four chambers 88, 89, 90 and- 91, respectively. A passage in, the formof pipe 95 passes intight connection through partitions 92 and 93 and interconnects chambers- 88 and 90. A second passage in the form of pipe 96 passes in tight connection through partitions 93 and 94 and interconnectschambers 89 and 91. A third passage in the formof a pipe 97 having J-shaped ends 98 and 99 passes. in tight'connection through partition)? and interconnects chambers '89 and 90.

Referring for the moment to Figure 7, it will be seen that chamber 88 corresponds to chamber 21 in that figure, chamber 90 corresponds to chamber 22, chamber 89 corresponds to chamber 23, and chamber 91 corresponds to chamber 24. Pipe 95 corresponds to passage 26, pipe 97 corresponds'to passage 27, and pipe 96 corresponds to passage 28. Thus chambers 88 and ,91 are each designed to have an acoustical capacitance of /2C in accordance with theform outlined above, while chambers 89 and 90 are each designed tohave an acoustical capacitance of C Each pipe 95, 96 and 97 is designed to have an acoustical inductance of M The structural arrangement of the chambers and pas sages in Figure 14 is particularly advantageous when rather elongated passages are required in relation to the sizes of the chambers. Thus, instead of'structurally placing the chambers in the order in which gas flows .throngh them, employing the reversed position arrange.- ment shown in Figure 14 permits a single cylinder to contain the entire attenuator including not only all the chambers but also all the passages with minimum requirement of specially shaped parts. The J-shaped ends illustrated at 98 and 99 on pipe 97-l1ave no great significance acoustically but are employed in order to obtain the required length of passage interconnecting chambers 89 and 90. Unlike pipes 95 and 96, pipe 97 must be confined in a shorter distance since the chambers it interconnects are structurally adjacent.

Figure 15 illustrates a specific structure utilizing a single stage T-section attenuator embodying the principles diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2. The T-shaped attenuator of Figure 15 includes an elongated cylindrical housing 100 having an inlet fixture 101 and an outlet fixture 102 and defining a chamber 103. The inlet and outlet fixtures 101 and 102, like the corresponding fixtures 86 and 87 of Figure 14, are suitably provided with flanges or other means for securing the attenuator in series in a gas line. The passages forming the legs of the T-section are internally positioned within chamber 103, extending from the inlet and outlet fixtures 101 and 102. Thus, the inlet passage leg is a pipe 104 which at one end is tightly fixed in inlet 101. Pipe 104 extends its full length within the interior of chamber 103, opening therein at its other end 107. The outlet passage leg of the T-section is in the form of elongated pipe fixed tightly at one end in outlet 102 ofthe attenuator. Pipe 105 extends inwardly into chamber 103 opening therein at its other end 108. Outlet pipe'105 is suitably warped as shown at 106 in order to avoid coinciding with inlet pipe 104. Warp 106 has no significant acoustical eifect but its use is imposed by the structural limitations involved in providing sufiiciently elongated passages for the attenuator requirements. In some circumstances where the design requirements determine that pipes 104 and 105 need have less than half the length of chamber 103, warp 106 will not be required. -In such circumstances care should be taken that the open ends 107 and 108 do not so closely approach each other as 'to amount to an orifice within the limitations of Equation 3. Such a structure would acoustically represent an m-derived T-section, the cutoif frequency of which would be removed from the desired point rendering the performance of the attenuator less than desirable.

In Figurelj each pipe 104 and 106 is designed to have an inductance of l/zM and chamber 103 to have faica'pacitance of C determined by the attenuation de- 's1r edand frequencies-to be suppressed.

-""Figure "16 illustrates a T-section attenuator similar to that shown in Figure 15. The attenuator shown in Figure 16 is designed for high pressure service and includes a cylindrical shell 109 defining a chamber 110. Cylinder 109 is suitably made of forged steel or other pressurematerials. Atapped opening 112 is prowiden fat one end to receive the threaded end of anin- ."correspondtothe'described arrangement of parts .at the inlet end'offcylinder Pipes 115 and 120 form the inletand ou'tlet legs respectively of the T -sect ion. Since {the device is designed 'fo'r high pressure service the v o1- smear chamber 110 defined by cylinder 109 is 'necessarilylow." Thus, in order to meet the structural limitations imposed by Equation 6 and Equations land 4, the lengths of pipes 115 andj120 are necessarily long in relation to the length of the chamber 110. The helically w'ound pipes 115 and 120' are highly suitable for secupurposes since the helicalform permits compressing each pipe into'a relatively short spacejo'ccupying 'a rlatively smallv'olume. At the same time open ends *s' si'cienu separatedto prevent the diflioulties of forming orifice betwen them noted'above with respect to the open ends '107 and 108 of the attenuator shown in gu s j L, I, i V .V

' s in the corresponding parts of Figure 15, the acoustrcaluiiductance of each pipe 115 and 120 has a value of fand the acoustical capacitance of chamber 110 defined by cylinder 109 has a value C The attenuator shown in Figure 16 as pointed out previously is particularly'suitable for high pressure service. Generally, the use ofs'uch-an attenuator is extremely advantageous in line leading to a pressure gauge in order to prevent undue fluctuation and serious vibration of the delicate parts of the gauge at the high'pressures employed.

Figure 17 is a plot showing percenttransmission in a single 1ror T-section attenuator compared with the ratio of fundamental frequency ftocut-ofi frequency fc. It will be noted that when the cut-off frequency is designed to equal fundamental frequency (a ratio of 1), 100% fiaiisu'iiss'ion ofthe fundamental frequency is obtained. In the design of volume current attenuators heretofore it rroneously been assumed-that the cut-off frequency filter is the frequency at which 100% attenuachieved. Figure 17 clearly shows the extent of Generally, in the design of'afilter in accordance with principles'oiitlined above, the desired attenuation (or to espon'clingly' the desired transmission) is fii'st selected.

' rrom'riguren the requisite ratio'of fundamentalto cut- ;ofi'f frequency 'tojobtainsuch transmission can'be immediately determined. The equations for calculation of jM-i and C fbased on cut-off frequency can then be applied,

determine the characteristics and dimensions of the components of the filters.

It will be seen that Figure 17 also indicates the transmission of harmonics since :each harmonic of the fundamental frequency can also b'e'expressed as a ratio of the harmonic to the :QUt-Ofi frequency. Thus, if:a fundamental frequency X is to besuppressed at a ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency of 2.0, the percent transmission of the fundamental frequency ina singletageattenuatordesigned according toethe principles outlined above, can be determined by the plot shown in Figure .17 to be approximately 7.5%. The first harmonic of frequency X will be of frequency 2X. Its ratio to the cut-off frequency therefore will be obviously 4.0 and perof the :plotfof Figure"17 be approximately 1.5 0.

firstharmonic as shown inlthe 7 e plotlin Figure 18 illustrates the theoretical ra pashipbetweenattenuation in a single-stage attenuator and 'ratio fof' fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency.

Such a plot illustrates one of the singular advantages of multi-section attenuators. For example, assume a threesection attenuator is to be designed giving an overall fundamentalfrequeucy attenuation equivalent to a ratio of 'I /I'of"2'7. Asi oted above, the attenuation of a given frequency in arnulti-st'age attenuator is. equal to the product of the attenuations of the frequency in each stage of the attenuator; 'Thus to obtain an'attenuation of 27 for the fundamental frequency in a three-stage attenuator,

each sta'ge must have an attenuation, expressed as I /I of 3. Figure 18 shows that each stage of such an attenuator must therefore be designed with a ratio of fundamental frequency to cut-off frequency of approximately 1.15 as opposed to the ratio for an equivalent singlestage attenuator which would be approximately 2.7.

Regarding the suppression of harmonics, which often are more destructive and undesirable than the fundamental frequency, a single-stage attenuator having a fun- 7 damental frequency attenuation of 27 will beseen to sup pressithefirst harmonic, according to Figure 18, with an attenuation of approximately 112; On the other hand; in

the three-stage attenuator having an overall fundamental frequency attenuation of 27, the attenuation of the first harmonic in each stage Will be a value of I /I of approximately 18.5. The attenuationof the three-stage filter thus 7 chamber 'possessing acoustical capacitance and a passage possessing acoustical inductance wherein said chamber and said said'passage of each said half of said attenuator are serially interconnected and wherein the dimensions of 5o L: v

in which 1; is a frequency lower than thefrequency of the chamber and pass-age of each half of said attenuator are selected with reference to the other properties of the gas to be flowed therethrough such that the total capacitanceis one half C and the total inductance is one-hal Myas defined by the equation saidlvperiodical pressure and current waves which is to be attenuated, and in whichsaid halves are interconnected in symmetrical relationship. p

2. A volume-currentattenuating device according to claim 1 in which said halves are interconnectedby connecting said passages whereby said device comprises a :pairqof chambers possess-ingacoustical capacitance interconnected by afpassage possessing acoustical inductance. 3; A volume-current attenuating device according to ,clair'nr 1 in which" said. halves are interconnected by. connecting said chambers whereby said device comprises a pair of passages possessing'acoustical inductance interconition ap ece].

,and :in which .P is the average pressure of the gas in pounds per square-footabsolute, andvin which the acoustical inductance of ,the.passag'e,1M-, is definedgwith'refer- .ence to the dimensions .o'f the passage and the physical properties ofrthe gas flowing therethrough rin which m the ofthe in the -passage in ing therethrough by the equation in'which V is the volume of the-chambers in cubic .feet, in which n is the exponent of adiabatic or polytropic compression of -the gas at average temperature and pressure, and in which P is the average pressure of the gas in pounds per square foot absolute, and in'which the passage is a slit, theacoustical inductance, M,- of which is defined with reference to the dimensions of the slit n the hy ca -p epar s f e g flovdng therethrough by the equation e in'which w is the length of the'slit in the directionof gas flow in feet, in which d is the density of :the gas in slugsper cubic foot at the average pressure and temperature of the gas, and in which A is the cross-sectional area of the slit in square feet.

6. A volume-current attenuator device'according to claim 1 in which the acoustical capacitance, C, of the chambers is defined with reference to the dimensions of the, chambers and the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough by the equation in whichV is the volume of the chambers in cubic feet, in which n is the exponent of adiabatic or polytropic compression of the gas at average temperature and pressure, and in which P is the average pressure of the gas in pounds per square foot absolute, and in which the passage is an orifice the acoustical inductance, M, of which is defined with reference to the dimensions of the ;o.rifice and the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough by the equation 611w 5A I, in which wis the length of the orifice in the direction of gas flow inlfeet, in which d is the density of the gas in slugs per cubic foot at the average pressure and temperature of the gas, and in which A' is the cross-sectional area of the orifice in square feet.

.7. A volumefcurrent attenuator device according to claim .1 in which'the acoustical capacitance, C, of the chambers is defined with reference to the dimensions of the chambers and the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough by the equation g V nP in which V is the volume of the chambers in cubic feet, in which n is the exponent of adiabatic or polytropic compression of the gas at average temperature and pressure, and in which P is the average pressure of the gas in pounds per square foot absolute, and in which the by the eq a- I .ofcthe tube and the physical properties of Ling therethrough by the equation. 7

V passage is a tube -of circular cross-section, the inductance,

M, of which is defined with reference-to-t he dimensions the gas nowin which d is'thedensity of thegas in slugs-per cubic foot .at the average temperature and pressure, in which I is the length of the tube in feet, and in which A'is the cross-sectional area of the tube in square feet.

8. A volume-currentattenuator section terminatedat one end in a-half-section for attenuating periodic pres- 1 v m/ rcz .7 5 in which i is a frequency lower than the frequency of said periodic pressure and current waves which is to be attenuated. I

9. A volume-current attenuator device for attenuating periodic pressurehand current waves of a gas flowing therethrough which comprises three chambers and three passages, the first passage being connected to the first chamber, the second pasasge interconnecting the first and second chambers, and the third passage interconnecting the second and third chambers, said chambers and pas sages possessing acoustical capacitance and inductance respectively, wherein the dimensions of the chambers and passages are selected with reference to the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough suchthatthe inductance of the first passage is /2M the inductance of the second passage is M the inductance of the third passage is M the capacitance of the first chamber is vC the capacitance of the second chamber is C and the capacitance of the third chamber is /2C;,,-as defined by the equation I Y 1 F u MICZ t '1 inwhich f is -a frequency lower than the frequency of said periodic pressure and current'waves which to be attenuated. 1

10. A volume-current attenuator device for connection .to'a pipe line to attenuate periodic pressure and current waves of gas flowing therethrough which 'comprises a volume-current attenuator section terminated at one'end with a passage interconnecting said volume-current-attenuator section and the pipe line, a second passage-iconnected to said first passage at the junction thereof with vthe pipe line, and 'a chamber connected to the otherentl .of said second passage, the dimensions of the passages and chamber of said'terminating section being defined with reference to-thephysical properties of the gas flowing through the attenuator such that the inductance of the first passage is *the inductance of the second passage i s 4m 2 g 4 and the capacitance of the chamber is VamC as defined by the equation V p i I -1 fc.=.--:-- mlMici e t st 17 a in" which i is a frequency lower than the frequency of said periodic pressure and current waves which is to be attenuated:

I I. A volume-current attenuator device terminated at each end with a passage to which are connected a second passage and a chamber in accordance with claim 10. 12, A volume-current attenuator device for attenuating periodic pressure and current waves of a gas flowing therethrough which comprises an elongated cylindrical shell having an inlet fixture at one end and an outlet fixture at the opposite end, a first, second and third transverse partitions disposed within said shell in order along the length thereof, thereby subdividingthe interior of said shell in order into a-first, second, third and fourth succe'ssive chambers, a pipe passing through the first and second of said transverse partitions intercommunicating the' first and .third chambers, a second pipe passing through thesecond and-third of said transverse partitions intercommunicating the second and fourth of said chambers, and a third pipe passing through the second'of said transverse partitions intercommunicating the second and third of said chambers, each of said pipes possessing an acoustical inductance M said first and fourth chambers each possessing an acoustical capacitance of V and said second and third chambers each posses-sing an acoustical capacitance of C each with reference to the physical dimensions of the chambers and the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough'as defined in the equation 1 f at/M102 in which-j is afrequency lower thanthe frequencyrof attenuator and C is the total capacitance of the at-- tenuator.

17. A volume-current attenuator according to claim 16' in which the volume current attenuator comprises serially a.first, chamber possessing acoustical capacitance, a passage possessing acous-tical inductance and a second chamber possessing acoustical capacitance, wherein the impedance of the attenuator Z is defined by the equation J 1/ '2 r ":1 a

in which representsthe, ratioiofnthe fundamental frequency, f,

V of said periodic pressureand currentwaves which is to ber, possessing acoustical capacitance: and a second. passaid periodic pressure and. current waves which is to be attenuated. V

13.A volume-current attenuator device for attenuating periodic pressure and current waves of a gas flowing therethrough which comprises an elongated cylindrical shell having an inlet fixture at one end and an outletfixture atthe opposite end, and said shell defining a chamber possessing acoustical capacitance, a pipe possessing acoustical inductance connected at one end to said inlet fixture and in open communication at its other end with the interior of said chamber, a second pipe possessing acoustical inductance connected at one end with said outlet fixture and in open communication at its other end with the interior of said chamber, wherein the dimensions of the chamber and of the pipes are selected with reference to the physical properties of the gas flowing therethrough such that the total capacitance of the a device, C and the total inductance of the device, M

are defined by the equation f M C2 in which L, is a frequency lower than the frequency of said periodic pressure and current waves which is to be attenuated.

14. A volume-current attenuator device according to claim 13 in which'each pipe is formed in a helix.

15. A volume-current attenuator device according to claim 13 in which each of the two pipes is longer than one-half of the length of the cylindrical shell but less than the total length thereof, and in which one pipe has a warp offsetting its position from'that of the other pipe.

16. A volume-current attenuator for attenuating periodic pressure and current waves in a flowing stream of gas which comprises a volume current attenuator terminated at one end by elongated zone having an impedance at zero frequency equal to the impedance 2;; of the volume current attenuator defined by the equation in which M is the total inductance of the volume current be attenuated to a lower frequency fc i 18. Axvolume-currentattenuator according to claim 16 in-which-the volume current attenuator comprises serially afirst. passage; possessing acoustical inductance; a cha n:

sage possessingacoustical inductance, wherein the: impedance, of the attenuator Z is defined by the, equation in which 1 is the input periodic current wave and I is the output periodic current wave, by the equation in which rzz-vrz in which Z =R +j21rfM and in which in which j is the frequency of said periodic pressure and cuirent waves which is to be suppressed in cycles per second, j is an operator producing a counterclockwise rotation of and R and R are the resistances of the passage and chamber and capacitance zone, respectively, expressed in (1b.) (sec.)/ (ft.) 5 units.

20. A volume-current attenuator for attenuating peri-' odic pressure and current waves in a flowing stream of gas which comprises at least one chamber possessing acoustical capacitance and at least one passage possessing acoustical inductance, wherein said chamber and said passage are serially interconnected and wherein the total capacitance, C of said attenuator and the total inductance, M of said attenuator are related to the desired attenuation, a, defined by the equation 1,) a 1/2 in in which I; is the input periodic current wave and I is the output periodic current wave by the equation 2 a- 1/2 in in which 1 is the input periodic current wave and I is the output periodic current wave, by the equation 21 21 I M 4 EH 12;)

in which Z -R +j21r;fm and in which in which in which 7 is the frequency of said periodic pressure and current waves which is to be suppressed in cycles per second, i is an operator producing a counterclockwise rotation of 90, R and R are the resistances of the 20 V passage and chamber, respectively, expressed in (1b.) (sec.)/(ft.) 5 units, and in which B is the phase angle between the flow rate and pressure of the periodically varying wave.

22. A volunie-current attenuator for attenuating periodic pressure and current waves in a flowing stream of gas which comprises at least one chamber possessing acoustical capacitance and at least one passage possessing acoustical inductance, wherein said chamber and said passage are serially interconnected and wherein the total capacitance, C of said attenuator and the total inductance, M of said attenuator are related to the desired attenuation, a, defined by the equation I a 1/2 in in which I is the input periodic current wave and I is the output periodic current wave, by the equation (Farmer in which is'the ratio of the fundamental frequency, f, of said periodic pressure and current waves to be attenuated to a lower frequency, fc, in which 1' is an operator producing a counterclockwise rotation of and in which B is the phase angle between the flow rate and pressure of the periodically varying wave.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. v6 I July 5 1960 Marion L. Arnold It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered'patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line'48 after "90", the equation should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 7 line 28, for "forced" read formed column ll line 12 after "hence,", the equation should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 18, line 67 strike out "and capacitance z0ne".,

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April 1961.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST Wu SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attcst'ing Ofiicer Commissioner of Patents 

